Staff report

New York Knicks guard J.R. Smith has been suspended without pay for five games by the NBA for violating the league's anti-drug policy.

Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski was the first to report the news.

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"There is a collectively bargained process in place, established by the NBA and the players association, and until that process has played itself out, it would be inappropriate for the NBPA or J.R. to make further statements about the matter," Ron Klempner, the union's acting executive director, said in a statement. "We all look forward to a resolution in due course."

Smith, the NBA's sixth man of the year this past season, averaged 18.1 points in 80 games in 2012-13. He signed a three-year, $18 million deal with the team this past July, the same month he underwent two surgeries on his left knee -- one to repair his patellar tendon and the other to fix a lateral meniscus tear. The Knicks noted that Smith's injuries were chronic and had gradually worsened.

Smith's recovery time was set at 12 to 16 weeks; the high end of that timetable would take him into mid-November, which would cost him a few weeks of the 2013-14 season.

The Knicks made it to the Eastern Conference semifinals this past season but lost to the Indiana Pacers 4-2. They figure to be among the challengers for the East crown again, especially when they have Smith available in their rotation.